Jon Favreau Admits He Was Wrong on Iron Man Death
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- Jon Favreau said on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” that he originally warned the Russo brothers against killing off Tony Stark in “Avengers: Endgame,” fearing it would devastate fans who grew up with the character.
- Joe Russo recalled a phone call with Favreau where Favreau tried to dissuade him, saying the death would “devastate people” and cause them to walk out of the theater into traffic.
- Jon Favreau later admitted the death was “handled so well” by the Russos, praising Robert Downey Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow’s performances and saying he was “choked up” by the poignancy.
- Robert Downey Jr. is set to return to the MCU as the villain Doctor Doom in the upcoming December film “Avengers: Doomsday,” a role Favreau expressed excitement about.
- Jon Favreau originally lobbied for casting Downey as Iron Man in 2008, noting that once Downey was cast, “everything else was easy decisions” and that his performance created something bigger for Marvel.
Why it matters: Fans who grew up with Iron Man get validation that his death resonated emotionally, while Marvel secures a high‑profile villain in Doctor Doom, played by Downey, for its December release, reinforcing the franchise’s willingness to take bold storytelling risks and to attract both longtime and new audiences.
